2010-2011 Boys' Basketball Preview

The 2010-2011 boys' basketball season is right around the corner now as the football season has come to an end.  After a solid second place finish last year in districts and conference and an impressive 17-10 record, Coach Brown and the tenacious Panther basketball team are hungry for another run in March.

Because many players from the 2009-2010 season have graduated, the many new faces will be the biggest story this season. "Their [last year's seniors] experience will be missed the most." Brown says, "We lost two starters who had played varsity basketball since their freshman year, and one who was a varsity member for three years. We have some experienced guys returning but not as many as we've had in the past." The lack of experience has not been a factor in the past few years, but with the help of a couple more familiar faces the Panthers should get back on their winning ways. "Holden Meyers and Grant Elsbury have the most experience of these five [returning seniors]. Cameron Beard saw his playing time increase significantly throughout last season. He will have a much larger role for us this year."

So what is the outlook for the upcoming basketball season according to Mr. Brown? "We are also going to have to build depth this season." Brown says, "Last year with so much experience returning, we could play a lot of kids and not lose anything. This year we are going to have to develop some of the not-so-experienced players into their roles throughout the season." The players have their hands full and big expectations to fulfill. The new faces will have to develop physically and mentally if the Panthers want another successful year. But the future is bright and the stage is finally being set for the 2010-2011 boys' team to take the floor.